Featured Most Underrated Roman Ruler

Harry Sidebottom is an author who well combines history with an interesting narrative styleand in an area of history most authors ignore.

 

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One cool thing about Gallienus is that he was a patron, to some extent, of the philosopher Plotinus, founder of Neoplatonism. There's mention of this in the Wiki article about Plotinus (under "Biography: Later life").
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plotinus
Neoplatonism is kind of a watershed in Western philosophy. It comes directly out of the Hellenistic tradition, but its somewhat mystical tilt foreshadows developments in earlier Medieval traditions. Across religious traditions, although Augustine, for one, was heavily influenced by him.

 

Here’s an excellent paper on the subject which outlines the evidence related to the minting of coins by Macrianus in 260/1 and includes other interesting observations related to HA coins.

LEGUTKO, P. (2002). The Revolt of Macrianus and Quietus and its effect on Alexandrian Coinage, AD 260-263. The Numismatic Chronicle (1966-), 162, 135-168.

"Further, the much-discussed papyrus POxy 1411 discusses the refusal of bankers to accept τό θείόν των σεβασιών νόμίσμα, 'the sacred coin of the emperors', referring to Macrianus and Quietus, and is dated to Hathyr 28 (25 November 260). Why the bankers did not accept the coins is unclear. They may have objected to the weight standard of the new coins, which average about a quarter of a gram lighter than those of Valerian's year 7 (29 August 259-28 August 260)."​

The article on Wikipedia draws heavily from J Bray’s 1997 book, “Gallienus: A Study in Reformist and Sexual Politics”, which reads:

“We have seen that the mint at Alexandria started coining in the name of the usurpurs in September 260. But before the end of August 261 it was issuing coins in the name of Gallienus. Nevertheless some parts of Egypt remained loyal to Quietus until his death.”​

Egypt, Alexandria, Gallienus, 253-268 Tetradrachm circa 262-263 (year 10)
Size: 23mm, 10.63g
Obv: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: ΔЄKA/ЄTHPI/CKV/PIOV in four lines within laurel wreath; below, L I
Ref: Geissen 2915 (this coin cited) Dattari-Savio Pl. 272, 5273 (this coin)

 

The Egyptian calendar splits years at the end of August so this means there were coins of Gallienus in the old year, though it would seem fewer. When before the end of August is not stated. May is before the end of August. Joint reign coins of Gallienus for year 8 are listed as rare in Emmett but sole reign coins are common. It would seem that there would not be R1 coins if the switchback date were late in the year. It would seem I need a Gallienus year 8 but I don't know how to tell a joint "eagle standing l., wings open wreath in beak" (R5) from a sole reign "eagle standing l., wings open wreath in beak" (R1). Research needed.

 

Well, very interesting post.
Julian II wins it for me, as shown in my recent thread:- https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-last-pagan.358565/

However Gallienus seems to be catching the popular vote, and with good reason it seems. A quick scan through my collection shows that I have quite a few of his coins already - and not only "Zoo" ones.
I will reference this thread in my "Gallienus" cataloguing studies when I come to do them but for now here are two of my better, non-zoo ones.


GALLIENUS (AD 267) Ant 21mm 3.62g Asia/Antioch mint RIC V Gallienus 603
Obv; GALLIENVS AVG. Bust of Gallienus Rad, draped right
Rev; P M TR P XV PP. Neptune, standing Left foot on prow, holding trident in left hand. VIIC in ex.


GALLIENUS (AD 266-268) Ant 20mm 3.41g Asian/Antioch Mint. 623 var (dot after mintmark); Goebl 1647a; Sear 10404, RIC V-1 (S)
Obv; GALLIENVS AVG. Bust of Gallienus, rad, cuir right.
Rev; VIRTUS AVG. Hercules, nude except for lionskin draped over left arm, standing right, holding club in rt hand and apple in left. VIIC in ex.

 

Had Julian lived, though I doubt he would have been able to marginalize the Christian religion, his on the job military training showed he had considerable natural skill. He just might have been able to reverse much of the rot that had set in. Too bad for Rome.

 

Marius

His rep sullied by Sulla and by erratic decision making after a stroke in old age, but otherwise Marius was the key Roman ruler who rescued Rome from the barbarians just as it was on the cusp of becoming a great empire

All earlier rulers were inconsequential because we'd never have heard of Rome in modern times if for example Hannibal or any earlier invader won, and in later times the golden age Roman emperors had little problems holding the border, and the later ones from 200 AD onwards, well Rome was already past its best so who cares.

Honorable mentions to Constantine and Justinian.

 

I agree on the Marius choice as he is one that I had thought about when I posed that question to myself. That guy was quite a character. I think he and Vespasian would have enjoyed each other's company (maybe they yet do in Elysium). I recall reading about the time he undertook the defense of Rome from Cimbri and the Teutones. After he had wiped out one of the tribes he was approached by emissaries from the other and they asked for terms. All they wanted was a little land to settle on. Marius is reputed to have replied. Yes, I'll give each of you a plot of ground six feet deep. And so he did.

 

Great thread!
I have never really been into the coins of Gallienus, but I bought one this winter that I liked a lot:



From the joint rule of Valerian and Gallienus. Both emperors are pictured sacrificing over altar on reverse. This coin, although probably low silver content, is silver through and through, not just silver washed. The later coinage of Gallienus spells out "decline" too much for me. It's impressive that he was able to stay in power during this period, however.

 

Agreed to the above comments re: Marius. A shame that late in life his strokes sullied his mind. Prior, he was great.


RR Fundanius AR Quinarius 101 BCe Marius triumph Jupiter E control Victory captive carnyx Q Sear 205 Craw 326-2



RR Anon AR Quinarius 81 BC Apollo celebrating MARIUS's victory in GAUL Victory Sear 305 Craw 373-1



RR Lucilius Rufus 101 BCE Ar Den Roma Biga Marius Victories S 202 Cr 324-1

 

Great thread, and really enjoyed reading through some of the posts.....Some interesting coins shown....
My only Gallienus....Picked this one for the portrait...

Gallienus, Antoninianus, Minted AD 258-259 (Joint reign)
Obverse..GALLIENVS dot P dot F dot AVG Radiate, curaissed bust right
Reverse..GERMANICVS MAX V trophy between two seated and bound German captives
RIC VI#18 variant obv legend dots..Cologne

 

Unlike some other emperors Gallienus earned that trophy. He walked the walk.

 

I really love Gallienus too his coins are very interesting, unfortunately I only have the one -
Gallienus, AR Antoninianus, 258-259, Joint Reign, Cologne mint
GALLIENVS dot P dot F dot AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust left,

holding spear in right hand over shoulder, shield in left.

GERMANICVS MAX V, Trophy (with two small shields) between
two captives.

RIC V-I, 18